The world’s currencies (digital and physical) are only worth something because we all agreed that they are. Without this universal agreement, they are worth no more than the metals or paper they're made from. So why not also give them practical value? Practical currency is not a new thing. Anything from a bullet to a pill can form the basis of a currency. But I’m talking about coins that can generate power and be used as batteries, coins that can absorb and cleanse pollutants, detect toxins or contagions, or coins that gather and transmit useful weather or traffic data. Due to the wide-spread nature of coins in circulation, any practical value they might impart would be a boon to civilization. Here I explore some possible technologies that could function as useful currency.
writing
Upended Preorder Announcement and Cover Reveal.
Upended, a hard scifi novel and the first book of a new series, is now available for preorder. Release is anticipated in January, 2026.
Motus Cover Reveal and Pre-order Announcement
It’s been a busy few months. Getting a book ready for publication, and doing it right, involves a lot of people and patience. But I’ve finally incorporated edits from my editor, commissioned a cover from an artist, and put it up for pre-order. I'm excited to share the fruits of that labor.
Debut Novel Announcement
I will be releasing my debut hard sci-fi dystopian novel, Motus, this October.
Stasis: The Future of Suspended Animation
Humanity has a contentious relationship with time. Often it passes at a snail’s pace and separates us from where and when we want to be. At other moments, it is gone before we can appreciate it, leaving us longing for the irrecoverable past. Eventually, time runs out, and even the luckiest of us succumb to age. But it is not in human nature to give up without a fight, even if it means standing our ground against time itself.
Generative AI in creative writing-
There are so many arguments for and against generative AI in writing, art, and other creative endeavors, I can’t even pretend to have considered them all. However, I have collected enough observations to formulate a hypothesis. I also invite you, my peer reviewers, to let me know what conclusions are problematic and what confounders I failed to account for.
Writing Update July 2025-
It’s been quiet around here for the past couple years, but that is about to change. I’ve made several important decisions regarding my writing and publishing journey. That means this site, as well as my life, will soon get a lot busier.
Operation Meltwater
"Operation Meltwater" was originally published by Baen Books in ROBOSOLDIERS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVOS in 2022. It is now free to read on my website.
Cephi
"Cephi" was a finalist in the 2017 N3F short story contest and was published in COLORED LENS the following year. It's now free to read on my website.
Feldspar
I'm happy to share my award winning hard Scifi story, FELDSPAR. This was published in 2017 on the Baen Books website after it won their short story award. After so many years, I thought it would make it available for all of you to enjoy on my website.
